Current NRS Projects: Healthy Rural Roads

PATH Documents and Reports





		This report is the synthesis of a year of research on practical measures to achieve transportation equity in rural regions, particularly Humboldt County, California. The intent of this document is to propose an overall goal and related objectives to improve transportation equity in Humboldt County and to propose potential strategies for implementing policies, programs, projects, protocols and partnerships to meet the goal and objectives.


		The ‘Planning for Active Transportation and Health' ( PATH ) model presents a new set of standards, enabling decisionmakers to plan for safer, more functional and more equitable access to goods, services and employment. PATH can also enlist the expertise of social service, health, and economic development professionals to assist transportation planners by better integrating the changing patterns of community life with the spectrum of vital transportation needs.


		This report is an effort to provide new tools that enable decisionmakers to plan for more functional and equitable access to goods, services and employment, particularly for the approximately 30 percent of the population who does not drive. When those individuals with the greatest mobility challenges are planned for and accommodated, the entire community is better served.


		The PATH project team collected and summarized numerous Best Practices regarding innovative and equity-oriented transportation ideas and solutions. They are separated into five different categories: Transportation Equity, Planning Integration, Rural Region Access to Services, Rural Region Active Transportation, and Data Collection & Analysis Techniques and Planning Tools. There is also a detailed Case Study within each of the categories.


		This forum was the first of its kind – a diversity of community and planning interests gathered to consider a new paradigm for transportation planning as it relates to community needs, land use, health and economic development. It was the second of four events to collectively improve integration of transportation planning with social equity, land use, economic development, and public health in Humboldt County, California. At the forum were two transportation planning experts from out of the area: Jeff Hobson of the Transportation & Land Use Coalition and Todd Litman of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute.


		The Summary of Research provides background information, examples, and references used throughout the PATH project. It highlights policies and regulations regarding Title VI non-discrimination and environmental justice goals, identifies and defines transportation-disadvantaged population groups, and provides general background information about Humboldt County, the project focus area.


		This document contains a brief description of the PATH project and defines relevant terms such as transportation equity, environmental justice, transportation-disadvantaged populations, active transportation, accessibility and much more.

Funding for this project has been provided by a grant through the California Department of Transportation's Environmental Justice Grants Program. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the California Department of Transportation, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

For project inquiries or problems with the website,
please contact jen@nrsrcaa.org.